Making change work in public sector projects
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Change is not a bad thing. Sometimes you need to change to make things better and we must adapt to keep up with the times. In public sector projects, managing the components of change in a thoughtful and methodical way is imperative for making sure that change leads to better outcomes for the community.
The projects our team typically helps oversee as trusted advisors require careful planning, collaboration, and execution. Below are a few key steps to consider during and leading into the implementation phase to help complex and multi-faceted public sector projects succeed.
Resource allocation and sustainable funding
An important element to factor in when working with public sector agencies is the development of a sustainable funding model for initiatives. Determine and take into account all of the necessary resources and secure them through budgeting and grant applications. Agencies can be challenged by short funding cycles so it’s important to develop a long-term funding strategy to sustain the program beyond its initial implementation and be open to adapting to those changes. A way to do this is regularly evaluating the program’s impact, reporting the findings to stakeholders, the public, and funders and then using that information to shift and manage expected outcomes to guarantee the service’s longevity.
Data is king
The importance of data and information cannot be overstated when it comes to monitoring the implementation and performance of a program. Using comprehensive metrics to make data-driven decisions can aid policy makers and program administrators in evaluating the effectiveness of implementation, identify gaps, refine the implementation, and develop better ways to scale up in the next phase of the project.
Evaluating what you designed and implemented in the first phase will help you tailor items in the next phase to improve. This will make things more efficient for all those within the life cycle of the project, from capturing, managing, processing, and becoming stewards of the data collected.
Adhere to contract obligations
It might sound like a simple task, but it is about more than just managing the words and clauses outlined when the project first begins. You must constantly be aware of hitting deliverables and deadlines. If the project begins to go off track, this may be an indication that not all the right people are at the table. It’s important to recognize and address shortcomings quickly – if you are lacking something internally, be empowered to fill that need externally to make sure the project stays on task and on time. Lastly, when working in the public sector, it is essential to have legal oversight mechanisms in place to ensure that programs comply with state and federal laws, regulations and ethical standards.
Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture
Working on a public sector project involves a steep learning curve, feedback loops and ongoing iteration. Give your team time to acclimate and get up-to-speed. Take everyone’s needs and feedback into consideration and build a multidisciplinary team that can develop processes from the bottom up. With the right team in place, breaking down the traditional barriers between teams and organizations will better position you to pivot as necessary while keeping in mind the big picture of supporting the citizens the project will serve.
Remember that successful implementation of public sector programs requires a multi-disciplinary approach, effective leadership, and ongoing collaboration. The tips listed above along with flexibility, adaptability and speaking the language of both the public and private sector are essential for long-term success.
